Brake controller and equalizer hitch questions

[ASevilla]

Hello everyone,

I recently purchased a 19' 2007 Sierra toy hauler. I believe it is rated for approximately 8450 GVWR. This is my first trailer. I need experienced advise on a brake controller and a equalizer hitch. Is a proprtional brake controller better than a inertial brake controller? What if any are the differences between equalizer hitches?? Is "air Oo. ride" considered or just as dependable as an equalizer hitch. I would like the most durable and safest way to tow this trailer because I will have 3 kids in the truck with me. Thanks!!

 

[Blue Ox1]

The brake controller is a personal opinion,I use the prodigy it's a inertia based controller easy to hook up and if you get the correct plugs you can just plug right in to your truck. I have the reese 1200-12000 lb weight distributing hitch seems to work good ,as far as sway control I just have the friction sway from reese ,I would like to try the dual cam and see how that is ,good luck with the hitch and brake controller

Joe

 

[CKimball]

I second Mr Oxe's statement on the brake controller... I also use the prodigy... set it and forget it up to 3 axles... I have three trailers and all i do is plug and go... as far as the hitch... . friction sway devices are getting to be old school and in my opinion dont work all that well in some applications... ... . I use a EQUA-LI-ZER (Brand name) hitch and it works perfect... my travel trailer is 35 feet and my car trailer is 44feet (NO WAY would I use a friction device on that trailer!!)... once i set the hitch up for my travel trailer it also was set up correct for the enclosed trailer (sheer luck I am sure!!)... there are others : Pull Rite. Reese, Hensley (take a second out on your house for that animal!!! :--) )etc... . the one i purchased has given ME plenty of bang for the buck (399. 00 to be exact!)... . good luck...

Cameron

 

[JSienkowski]

I tow a 1998 33' Prowler that grosses 9700 with my 3500 truck, the first couple of times I towed it "DeadWeight" and then towed with the weight distribution package and dual cam sway control installed-HUGE difference noticed immeately-you don't "bounce" down the road with the WD package and I haven't done much highway travel but the little I've done I've noticed you don't get "sucked" into the next lane when getting passed by a Tractor trailer, I think they will be a worthwhile investment both in a safety standpoint and you wont feel as beat when you arrive at your destination. Happy traveling!!

 

[ASevilla]

Thank you Blue & CK. Any tips on how to adjust the brake controller and hitch would also be greatly appreciated. A friend says to adjust the brake controller to activate the trailer brakes a fraction of a second faster than the truck's. His reasoning is that he would rather have the trailer brakes wear out than the truck's. Is this true? Equalizer brand was one that the RV place suggested but I wanted to hear from guys here who I trust more. .

 

[CKimball]

yes on the brake set up(actually go as the video and manual state... its easy) but as you will see with that unit intial boost isnt as crucial as it is with a lesser brake controller... . the more you push on the brake the enertia of it slowing activates the trailer brakes evenly (you will feel the trailer pull the rear of the tv down. . )... . the other nice deal about the Prodigy (and with other higher end controllers so I dont get flamed here) is that in traffic (IE: the 91 PARKING LOT!!) it doesnt grab the trailer brakes as bad for nice, smooth and quiet stops... when you set up the hitch, set the trailer LOADED (WATER TOO!!!) for a trip on LEVEL ground... this is very important as you want to set up correctly the first time... ... . go as instructions say and measure all four corners of your tow vehicle etc and VIOLA... it tows awesome... I have also have a very heavy fiver that I put my Jeep in and it tows great... the Equi-li-zer hitch makes my big trailers tow almost like a fiver (some say that a Hensley does the same and I am sure it does but INMHO not worth the winning lottery ticket it takes to buy it ) and I am sure my last comment will cause a little :-{} butwhat ever as i speak the truth... . also... I live buy you and I hope you didnt buy from Affordable by you... great in sales... go past the gate...come back for warranty work... forget it!!. . they suck. . anyway... sorry for the long reply... if you need help pm me and we could hook up and set ya straight... Cameron



on Edit:... . also buy the correct pig tail for the controller for your truck... it is sweet as it plugs in right under the DS dash and i mounted my controller on the knee bolster on the right side of the steering column easy to reach if needed but out of the way. . ok I m done...

 

[wcjp]

Judging from your post you've never used a brake controller. Brake controller's have a manual overide switch. This will activate the trailer brakes without activating the service (vehicle) brakes. If the trailer tries to pass the vehicle as would be the case on black ice activate the trailer brakes. This should lock up the trailer brakes. Since the service brakes haven't been activated the trailer will start to track normally. This brings us to my second point. The brake controller must be within easy reach in case of emergency. At the bottom of the dash by the pedals won't work. My 96' had the brake controller installed there when I first purchased the truck. I also highly recommend keeping it off the knee panel unless you're well over 6' tall. In an accident you're going to surge forward. Can't see how a high speed impact with the trailer brake controller would help. I think my interior is a little different than yours. Here's a pic of mine installed.



#ad

 

[CMusgrove]

We had the prodigy installed. Works very nice. Equalizer hitch and initially one friction sway bar. Was getting sucked and blowed quite a bit by big rigs and wind. Had another friction sway bar installed on the other side. No more blowing and sucking. Trails right behind the truck now. 28' Outback travel trailer. When we get to the campground, disconnect both sway bars for backing into spaces.

 

[CKimball]

We had the prodigy installed. Works very nice. Equalizer hitch and initially one friction sway bar. Was getting sucked and blowed quite a bit by big rigs and wind. Had another friction sway bar installed on the other side. No more blowing and sucking. Trails right behind the truck now. 28' Outback travel trailer. When we get to the campground, disconnect both sway bars for backing into spaces.

I think you have a Weight distribution hitch not a "Equalizer" hitch... you should never have to disconnect a hitch to back up into spots... . does yours use chains??... if so it is definitly not a equalizer... . the chain types are OK for shorter LIGHTER types of trailers... the Equalizer hitch uses bars to controll swaying, porpussing (up and down) and weight dist.

 

[ASevilla]

:--)

yes on the brake set up(actually go as the video and manual state... its easy) but as you will see with that unit intial boost isnt as crucial as it is with a lesser brake controller... . the more you push on the brake the enertia of it slowing activates the trailer brakes evenly (you will feel the trailer pull the rear of the tv down. . )... . the other nice deal about the Prodigy (and with other higher end controllers so I dont get flamed here) is that in traffic (IE: the 91 PARKING LOT!!) it doesnt grab the trailer brakes as bad for nice, smooth and quiet stops... when you set up the hitch, set the trailer LOADED (WATER TOO!!!) for a trip on LEVEL ground... this is very important as you want to set up correctly the first time... ... . go as instructions say and measure all four corners of your tow vehicle etc and VIOLA... it tows awesome... I have also have a very heavy fiver that I put my Jeep in and it tows great... the Equi-li-zer hitch makes my big trailers tow almost like a fiver (some say that a Hensley does the same and I am sure it does but INMHO not worth the winning lottery ticket it takes to buy it ) and I am sure my last comment will cause a little :-{} butwhat ever as i speak the truth... . also... I live buy you and I hope you didnt buy from Affordable by you... great in sales... go past the gate...come back for warranty work... forget it!!. . they suck. . anyway... sorry for the long reply... if you need help pm me and we could hook up and set ya straight... Cameron



on Edit:... . also buy the correct pig tail for the controller for your truck... it is sweet as it plugs in right under the DS dash and i mounted my controller on the knee bolster on the right side of the steering column easy to reach if needed but out of the way. . ok I m done...

Thanks for all the input from everyone.

I ran around today looking for the perfect set up for my set up. I really liked the idea of not having to unhook the sway bars for backing and tight turns, so I am leaning on the Equalizer hitch and prodigy brake proportional brake controller. It was 185. 00 for the brake controller and 625. 00 for the equalizer. Cameron, thanks for the input on having the trailer fully loaded to prep it. Do you do that even when you go to a campsite with full hook-ups??

 

[CKimball]

you want it set up for the most often way of tailer usage... I would do it with the water in as that would be close to max tongue weight that you would normaly carry. even if you are going to be at a camp ground with hook ups... there will be a negligible difference in ride with or with out the water in... . the main thing is being level loaded. . (i know I have said that twice but that is the key. )... ok... do some surfing as I paid 399. 99 with 10k bars (which i recommend for your use)... bought my controler from these guys z: http://www.southwestwheel.com/ for 124. 00

and i cant remember which place I got it from... . I thought it was southwest wheel but maybe not... . surf and find for cheaper I promise ... most of the time free frieght... i will look around for my receipt... ...

 

[ASevilla]

you want it set up for the most often way of tailer usage... I would do it with the water in as that would be close to max tongue weight that you would normaly carry. even if you are going to be at a camp ground with hook ups... there will be a negligible difference in ride with or with out the water in... . the main thing is being level loaded. . (i know I have said that twice but that is the key. )... ok... do some surfing as I paid 399. 99 with 10k bars (which i recommend for your use)... bought my controler from these guys z: http://www.southwestwheel.com/ for 124. 00

and i cant remember which place I got it from... . I thought it was southwest wheel but maybe not... . surf and find for cheaper I promise ... most of the time free frieght... i will look around for my receipt... ...

I found 12k equal-i-zer hitches for 399. 00 @ www.RVWholesaler.com. They also offer the prodigy #90185 for 99. 00.

 

[flyairam]

It sounds like you have plenty of good advice but I wanted to add my vote and experience to the Prodigy/Equal-I-Zer crowd.



Works good, last a long time. What more could you want?



RAH out.

 

[CMusgrove]

CKimball,



It has the chains so must be a weight distribution hitch. Sorry about that - new to towing.

 

[YFZBOB]

I have a (3 year old) complete 10K weight distribution hitch FOR SALE if you're interested. $225. 00 OBO. (Just need it out of my garage) Went to a 5th wheel trailer... I live in Highland, east of San Bernardino.

I'd go with the Prodigy. I had my axles flipped on my Toy Hauler. Well, the guys wired one of the 3 axles backwards. The Prodigy caught the error before I left the shop.

 

[ASevilla]

I have a (3 year old) complete 10K weight distribution hitch FOR SALE if you're interested. $225. 00 OBO. (Just need it out of my garage) Went to a 5th wheel trailer... I live in Highland, east of San Bernardino.

I'd go with the Prodigy. I had my axles flipped on my Toy Hauler. Well, the guys wired one of the 3 axles backwards. The Prodigy caught the error before I left the shop.

Wish you would have contacted me sooner. . I already ordered mine. Had my mind set on the equal=i-zer anyways. What is the advantage of flipping your axles? I know that it raises the height of the trailer.

 

[CKimball]

CKimball,



It has the chains so must be a weight distribution hitch. Sorry about that - new to towing.

right on... nobiggie... are you sure that you HAVE to take your bars off when turning tight?... if so... you might want to reinvest on a new hitch!!... what you have is old school and is sufficiant but to take the edge off of towing you might want to look into a new set up... . once you drive sumthin that is set up right with the right stuff... it makes it a total pleasure to drive/tow..... also... you wont be breakin your arms anymore trying to lift those bars on... . I use my electric tongue jack and raise it up high enough

to slide the bars over the L bracket.....

 

[CKimball]

oh... Mr Sevilla..... grease your hitch up good the first time keep a couple of wrenches that fit the ball and shank bolts as they will get a little loose the first time out... . you hitch will pop and fart a few times untill it gets broken in (10 or so turns and about 50 miles) then all is well... when it starts creakin again... it needs grease... I use a moloy grease so i know when I got it all over me ... lastly... . If i ever unhook I leave my bars on the hitch and swing them paralell to the rear bumper... (great way to put the grease on)... hope this helps... . have fun ... .

Cameron



p. s on edit:... ... good job finding your controller and hitch... . and that is where I bought my hitch... . internet is great aint it!!!! you saved 300. 00 that you can now add to your bombing fund ... .

 

[YFZBOB]

Wish you would have contacted me sooner. . I already ordered mine. Had my mind set on the equal=i-zer anyways. What is the advantage of flipping your axles? I know that it raises the height of the trailer.

I wished I could have too! :{ Oh well... My life story. Oo.

With the 5th wheel. We had to flip our axles to get the proper clearance between the top of the bed, and the bottom of our trailer. I have tapped the trailer a couple of times while pulling the trailer through Johnson Valley. That was enough for me. Only drawback, your steps are 5 inches higher, and your ramp has to go down further. Oh, the Center of Gravity is higher. Only noticeable during the Santa Ana Winds.